Survey of the high premium tree species within the CBFM area of Mahaba Tribal Council Cultural Communities (MTCC), Agusan del Norte [Philippines]

In 2005, Kitche and Jamero (NOR MISIST) assessed the presence of high-premium tree species associated with other plant species in the CBFM area of Barangay [village] Mahaba, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte. The authors tried to identify the species composition, abundance, density,and volume of standing high premium tree species in the study area. The survey used strip method. The strip had a width of 10m and a length of 100 m. Each strip had a distance of 50m from each other. Findings of the study revealed the following: a total of 108 premium tree species belonging to 5 families, 7 genera, and 9 species were found in the study area. Families included Myrtaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Apocynaceae,Deliniaceae, and Gutifferae. The dominant species were the 'mancono' (Xanthosthemum virdugoniamus), 'tiga' (Tristania micrantha), white lauan (Shorea contorta), 'yakal' (S. astylosa), red lauan (S. negrosensis) and 'apitong' (Dipterocarpus caudatus). 'Lanete' (Wrightia lanete), 'katmon' (Dillenia philippinensis) and 'bitanghol' (Callophyllum blancoi) were also observed. The two sampling strips had a total volume of 35.64 cu m dominated by mancono, followed by Shorea spp and tiga. It also had a total of 0.108/sq m stock density, meaning one premium tree species for every 11 sq m area. Results of the study revealed that there was a very limited number and species of premium trees in the area. Many species like 'batikuling', 'tindalo', 'ipil', 'dao' and 'amugis' believed to abound in the area were no longer observed during the survey. Researchers recommended that community, LGU, and DENR 13 must continuously enforce the conservation program for endangered premium tree species through continuous education of the people and through community-organizing programs. Enrichment planting using premium tree species should be done and the forest protection program of the community should also be strengthened. This will discourage log poaching.